Protective cover for laptop computer

ABSTRACT

An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and a keyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior cover includes a first rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the display portion. The first rigid planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of the first rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward the display portion. The first rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display portion. The exterior cover further includes a second rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface of the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes a raised edge extending toward the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabs for gripping the keyboard portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility patent application claims priority to provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/745,323 filed Apr. 21, 2006 and entitled“Protective Hard Plastic Case for Laptops.” Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/745,323 is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to accessories for personal computers, and moreparticularly to protective accessories for laptop personal computers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As computers become more ubiquitous and as individuals become moremobile, laptop computer sales are on the rise. Individuals areincreasingly requiring computing capabilities and information on the go.As such, today it is customary to walk into a coffee shop or a libraryonly to see large groups of individuals sitting at tables doing work,playing games, listening to music or reading on their laptops. Laptopscan be more expensive than desktop computers due to the lightermaterials, lower voltage parts and mobile components that comprise thelaptop computer. For this reason, individuals are typically protectiveof their laptops, leading to the rise of the laptop accessory industry.

One problem that users often encounter with laptop computers is wear andtear on the exterior of the laptop. Since users often carry around theirlaptops and use them in cafes, restaurants, libraries, on the floor, ina car, on a subway or in any location not intended for computer use, itis inevitable that the exterior of the laptop will be scratched, dinged,dented, cracked, broken, stained, etc. Since most laptop exteriors arecomprised of plastic, there is little one can do to fix such blemishes.

One approach to this problem has been to create laptop covers thatcomprise mostly a sleeve into which the laptop is inserted while it sinthe closed position. This approach solves the problem of protecting thelaptop while it is stored away, but does not solve the problem ofprotecting the laptop while it is in use. This approach, furthermore,requires that the user has to remove the laptop from the protectivesleeve before every use, adding another step to the process of preparingthe laptop for use, which can be a turnoff for users that arecontinually moving and lacking time.

Another problem that users often encounter with laptop computers isoverheating of the bottom of the laptop. The power supply components oflaptops are located on the bottom surface of the keyboard portion of thelaptop. During long periods of use, the bottom of the laptop canoverheat and burn or cause discomfort to the user if the laptop issitting on his or her lap. Further, a user's genitalia are near the lapregion of an individual and there are health hazards associated withoverheating of the scrotum or the vagina. When testicles are exposed toexorbitant heat over long periods of time, for example, an individual'sfertility can be affected. Additionally, if a laptop is resting on topof a piece of furniture, such as a table or a desk, an overheatinglaptop can cause damage to the surface of the furniture.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above, and particularly for a more efficient way to protectthe exterior of laptop computers and to manage the heat generated by thelaptop computer during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, anexterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion and akeyboard portion is disclosed. The exterior cover includes a first rigidplanar element for placement on an outside surface of the displayportion. The first rigid planar element includes a raised edge along aperimeter of the first rigid planar element, wherein the raised edgeextends toward the display portion. The first rigid planar elementfurther includes a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, whereineach tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display portion.The exterior cover further includes a second rigid planar element forplacement on an outside surface of the keyboard portion. The secondrigid planar element includes a raised edge along a perimeter of thesecond rigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward thekeyboard portion. The second rigid planar element further includes aplurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein each tab extendsfrom the raised edge for gripping the keyboard portion.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an exterior cover for alaptop computer having a display portion and a keyboard portion isdisclosed. The exterior cover includes a first rigid planar elementhaving a rectangular shape for covering a top surface of the displayportion. The first rigid planar element includes a raised edge forcovering a section of all sides of the display portion. The first rigidplanar element further includes a plurality of tabs located on theraised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for grippingthe display portion. The exterior cover further includes a second rigidplanar element having a rectangular shape for covering a bottom surfaceof the keyboard portion. The second rigid planar element includes araised edge for covering a section of all sides of the keyboard portion.The second rigid planar element further includes a plurality of tabslocated on the raised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raisededge for gripping the keyboard portion.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a protective cover for alaptop computer is disclosed. The protective cover includes a firstrectangular sheet comprised of a rigid material for fastening to anoutside surface of a display portion of the laptop computer. The firstrectangular sheet includes a plurality of protruding tabs located onopposing sides of the first rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality oftabs extend toward the display portion for gripping the display portion.The protective cover further includes a second rectangular sheetcomprised of a rigid material for fastening to an outside surface of akeyboard portion of the laptop computer. The second rectangular sheetincludes a plurality of protruding tabs located on opposing sides of thesecond rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality of tabs extend towardthe keyboard portion for gripping the keyboard portion.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features and also theadvantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.Additionally, the left-most digit of a reference number identifies thedrawing in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of the elementscomprising the exterior cover for a laptop computer, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the exterior cover ofFIG. 1, after application to a laptop computer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of a first tab for securing a rigidplanar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop computer, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail view of the first tab for securing arigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop computer, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a second tab for securing a rigidplanar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop computer, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of the second tab for securing arigid planar sheet of the exterior cover to a laptop computer, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood that these embodiments are only examples of themany advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general,statements made in the specification of the present application do notnecessarily limit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, somestatements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. Ingeneral, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in theplural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawing likenumerals refer to like parts through several views.

The present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, overcomesproblems with the prior art by providing a rigid exterior cover forlaptop computers, wherein the exterior cover comprises one separatepiece for applying to the outside surface of the display portion of thelaptop computer and a second separate piece for applying to the outsidesurface of the keyboard portion of the laptop computer. The presentinvention further solves problems with the prior art by providing anexterior cover that simply snaps onto the laptop computer using aplurality of tabs that are pushed into place around the laptop byapplying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy and fast applicationand removal. Further, the present invention solves problems with theprior art by providing an exterior laptop cover that dissipates the heatcreated by the bottom of the laptop computer during use, therebyeliminating or reducing the negative effects of an over-heated laptopcomputer on individuals and furniture.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of the elementscomprising the exterior cover 100 for a laptop computer 190, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows alaptop computer 190 having a display portion 192, which includes aliquid crystal display 195 or other form of computer display, and akeyboard portion 194, which includes a keyboard 196, a touch pad 198,and buttons 199. The display portion 192 comprises an inside surface 182and an outside surface (not shown) located on the opposite as the insidesurface 182. Likewise, the keyboard portion 194 includes an insidesurface 184 and an outside surface (not shown) located on the oppositeas the inside surface 184.

FIG. 1 further shows a separate, or independent, rigid planar sheet 102for applying to the outside surface of the display portion 192 of thelaptop computer 190. The rigid planar sheet 102 may be substantiallyrectangular with rounded corners. The rigid planar sheet 102 may furtherinclude a raised edge 104 disposed around the circumference or perimeterof the rigid planar sheet 102, wherein the raised edge 104 extendsperpendicularly from the rigid planar sheet 102 and extends toward theinside surface 106 of the rigid planar sheet 102.

Rigid planar sheet 102 may further include a plurality of tabs 122, 124,126, 128 located along the raised edge 104 of the rigid planar sheet102. Each of the plurality of tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 may extend higherthan the raised edge 104. Additionally, each of the plurality of tabs122, 124, 126, 128 may include a protruding element that extendsperpendicularly from the raised edge 104 towards the inside surface 106of the rigid planar sheet 102. More detail on the protruding element ofeach tab is provided below with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The use of tabsallows for the rigid planar sheet 102 to snap onto the display portion192 of the laptop computer 190 by applying manual pressure, therebyallowing for easy and fast application and removal of the rigid planarsheet 102.

Note that two tabs 122, 124 are located along a top of the rigid planarsheet 102, while one tab 126 is located on a left side of the rigidplanar sheet 102 and one tab 128 is located on a right side of the rigidplanar sheet 102. Also note that tabs 126 and 128 are located onopposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 102 so as to provide pressure inopposite directions towards the center of the display portion 192 whenapplied. This pressure secures the rigid planar sheet 102 into thedisplay portion 192.

The raised edge 104 disposed around the circumference or perimeter ofthe rigid planar sheet 102 covers at least a portion of the sides of thedisplay portion 192 when applied. FIG. 1 further shows a super raisededge 120 located along the bottom of the rigid planar sheet 102, whereinthe super raised edge 120 is raised higher than the raised edge 104.

FIG. 1 further shows a separate, or independent, rigid planar sheet 112for applying to the outside surface of the keyboard portion 194 of thelaptop computer 190. The rigid planar sheet 112 may be substantiallyrectangular with rounded corners. The rigid planar sheet 112 may furtherinclude a raised edge 114 disposed around at least a portion of thecircumference or perimeter of the rigid planar sheet 112, wherein theraised edge 114 extends perpendicularly from the rigid planar sheet 112and extends toward the inside surface 116 of the rigid planar sheet 112.

Rigid planar sheet 112 may further include a plurality of tabs 132, 134,136 located along the raised edge 114 of the rigid planar sheet 112.Each of the plurality of tabs 132, 134, 136 may extend higher than theraised edge 114. Additionally, each of the plurality of tabs 132, 134,136 may include a protruding element that extends perpendicularly fromthe raised edge 114 towards the inside surface 116 of the rigid planarsheet 112. More detail on the protruding element of each tab is providedbelow with reference to FIGS. 3-6. The use of tabs allows for the rigidplanar sheet 112 to snap onto the keyboard portion 194 of the laptopcomputer 190 by applying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy andfast application and removal of the rigid planar sheet 112.

Note that two tabs 132, 134 are located along a bottom of the rigidplanar sheet 112, while one tab 136 is located on a top side of therigid planar sheet 112. Also note that tabs 132, 134 are located onopposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 112 as tab 136 so as to providepressure in opposite directions towards the center of the keyboardportion 194 when applied. This pressure secures the rigid planar sheet112 into the keyboard portion 194.

The raised edge 114 of rigid planar sheet 112 includes lower orretracted portions 142, 144 located along a top of the rigid planarsheet 112. These retracted portions 142, 144 are not raised as high asthe raised edge 114 and either provide an open area for a movable part,such as a hinge connecting the keyboard portion 194 with display portion192, or provide access to a portion of the keyboard portion 194, such asa power connection, a light, a data port, a button or a removable mediadrive.

The raised edge 114 of rigid planar sheet 112 further includes shapedorifices 152, 154, 156 located along a left side of the rigid planarsheet 112. These shaped orifices 152, 154, 156 provide access to aportion of the keyboard portion 194, such as a power connection, alight, a data port, a button or a removable media drive. Also noteshaped orifice 158 (for air circulation) located along the rigid planarsheet 112, shaped orifice 159 located along a bottom side of the raisededge 114 and shaped orifice 160 located along a right side of the raisededge 114. These shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 158, 159, 160 provideaccess to a portion of the keyboard portion 194, such as a powerconnection, a light, a data port, a button or a removable media drive.For example, orifice 160 may provide access to a CD/DVD drive whileorifice 159 may provide access to an LED light. Note that each orificeis shaped according to the shape of the item to which it is providingaccess.

The raised edge 114 disposed around the circumference or perimeter ofthe rigid planar sheet 112 covers at least a portion of the sides of thekeyboard portion 194 when applied. FIG. 1 further shows an area 162located along the top of the rigid planar sheet 112 wherein the raisededge 114 is either lower or non-existent. Area 162 may provide an openarea for a movable part, such as a hinge connecting the keyboard portion194 with display portion 192. Also note lower edge 164, which is lowerthan raised edge 114. Lower edge 164 may provide access to a mechanism165, such as a latch, for opening or closing the laptop computer 190.

Lastly, note depressions 172, 174, 176, 178 located on the rigid planarsheet 112. The depressions 172, 174, 176, 178 are located near thecorners of the rectangular rigid planar sheet 112. Each depression 172,174, 176, 178 causes a protrusion on the opposite side (not shown) ofthe rigid planar sheet 112. A “foot” or elastic, pill-shaped element(comprised of rubber or plastic) may be adhered to the protrusion on theopposite side (not shown) of the rigid planar sheet 112, so as toprotect furniture or any surface from scratching or damage when therigid planar sheet 112 is placed on it.

Rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured from a variety ofmaterials including metal, such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminumor any metal alloy, rigid fabric, carbon fiber, epoxy resin, graphite,rubber, plastic or any combination of the above.

Plastic covers a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerizationproducts. Plastics are composed of organic condensation or additionpolymers and may contain other substances to improve performance oreconomics. In the present invention, plastic may comprise any one of thefollowing forms of plastic: polyethylene, polystyrene, high impactpolystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropylene,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), bayblend and polyvinylidenechloride (PVC).

The rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may be manufactured of the presentinvention can be manufactured from a plastic compound using any varietyof processes, such as injection molding, fusible core injection moldingand thermoforming.

Injection molding is a manufacturing technique for making parts fromthermoplastic material in production. Molten plastic is injected at highpressure into a mold, which is the inverse of the product's shape. Aftera product is designed by an industrial designer, molds are made by amold-maker from metal, usually either steel or aluminum, andprecision-machined to form the features of the desired part. Injectionmolding is widely used for manufacturing a variety of parts and is themost common method of plastic production.

The most commonly used thermoplastic materials are polystyrene, ABS oracrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, andpolyvinyl chloride or PVC.

Injection molding machines, also known as presses, hold the molds inwhich the components are shaped. Presses are rated by tonnage, whichexpresses the amount of clamping force that the machine can generate.This pressure keeps the mould closed during the injection process.

Molds separate into at least two halves (called the core and the cavity)to permit the plastic part to be extracted. In general, the shape of apart must not cause it to be locked into the mould. For example, sidesof objects typically cannot be parallel with the direction of draw (thedirection in which the core and cavity separate from each other). Theyare angled slightly. Pins are the most popular method of removal fromthe core, but air ejection, and stripper plates can also be useddepending on the application. Most ejection plates are found on themoving half of the tool, but they can be placed on the fixed half.

Molds are built through two main methods: standard machining and EDMmachining. Standard machining, in its conventional form, hashistorically been the method of building injection molds. Withtechnological development, computer numerical control (CNC) machiningbecame the predominant means of making more complex molds with moreaccurate mold details in less time than traditional methods.

The electrical discharge machining (EDM) or spark erosion process hasbecome widely used in mold making. EDM is a simple process in which ashaped electrode, usually made of copper or graphite, is very slowlylowered onto the mould surface (over a period of many hours), which isimmersed in paraffin oil. A voltage applied between tool and mouldcauses erosion of the mould surface in the inverse shape of theelectrode.

Fusible core injection molding or lost core injection molding is aspecialized plastic injection molding process. It is used in themanufacture of molded components with cavities or undercuts, which wouldnot be possible with tools having demoldable cores. The process consistsof three essential steps. First, a core consisting of a low meltingpoint metal is poured in the shape of the cavity specified for themolded component. This is inserted into the injection mold in the secondstep and injected with plastic. Molded component and core are bothdemolded and, in the third step, immersed in a heated bath to melt outthe core. The bath temperature is selected to be somewhat higher thanthat of the core alloy's melting point, but not so that the injectedpart would be damaged. Induction heating of the core metal in the heatedbath reduces the melt out time to a few minutes. Liquid core metalcollects on the bottom of the heated bath and is usable for a new core.

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process for thermoplastic sheet orfilm. The sheet or film is heated between infrared, natural gas, orother heaters to its forming temperature. Then it is stretched over orinto a temperature-controlled, single-surface mold. Cast or machinedaluminum is the most common mold material, although epoxy and woodtooling are sometime used for low volume production. The sheet is heldagainst the mold surface unit until cooled. The formed part is thentrimmed from the sheet. The trimmed material is usually reground, mixedwith virgin plastic, and reprocessed into a usable sheet. There areseveral categories of thermoforming, including vacuum forming, pressureforming, twin-sheet forming, drape forming, free blowing, and simplesheet bending.

In one embodiment of the present invention, rigid planar sheets 102 and112 may be manufactured from a material that is a solid color (ormultiple solid colors), a transparent color (or multiple transparentcolors) or may include a pattern or other series of multiple colors in avariety of selections. In another embodiment of the present invention,rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may include graphics, designs, logos,pictures, or any images that can be applied to the planar sheets. Thegraphics may be embedded in the material comprising the rigid planarsheets 102 and 112 or the graphics may be stamped, painted, stenciled,laser etched, printed, engraved or silk-screened onto the exterior orinterior surfaces of the planar sheets.

In one embodiment of the present invention, rigid planar sheets 102 and112 may be manufactured from a material that dissipates or insulates theheat created by the laptop 190 during use. The material used tomanufacture the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112, such as plastic, maypossess heat isolative properties that prevent the outside surface ofthe exterior cover 100 from overheating. Alternatively, the materialused to manufacture the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112, such as metal,may possess heat conductive properties that quickly dissipate the heatoriginating from the laptop 190. Alternatively, the material used tomanufacture the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 may possess anycombination of heat insulating and heat conducting properties so as toaccomplish the goal of re-directing the heat emanating from the use ofthe laptop 190 so as not to be directed downwards towards the bottom ofthe laptop. Such redirection of the laptop heat is beneficial as itreduces or eliminates the negative implications of high temperaturesalong the bottom of a laptop, including overheating or burning of aperson's lap when the laptop is sitting on top of a user's lap andoverheating of a table, desk or other furniture, thereby leading todamaged furniture.

Furthermore, shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 158, 159, 160 may provideaccess to a space 420 (see FIG. 4) between the rigid planar sheet 112and the keyboard portion 194. This space 420 may provide an area forheat convection wherein air is the medium. As the bottom of the keyboardportion 194 is heated, the air in the space 420 is heated while coolerair enters the space 420 via orifice 158 (among others). As relativelyhot air rises, so does the heated air move towards the top of thekeyboard portion 194 to escape as cooler air rushes upwards into space420 to fill the void. In this way, the temperature of the bottom of thekeyboard portion 194 is regulated by heat convection so as not tooverheat.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a perspective view of the exterior cover100 of FIG. 1, after application to the laptop computer 190. Note thatrigid planar sheet 102 has been applied to the display portion 192 andrigid planar sheet 112 has been applied to the keyboard portion 194.Note also that the rigid planar sheets 102 and 112 can be applied to thelaptop 190 while the laptop is either in the open or closed position.The plurality of tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 of the rigid planar sheet 102,each having a protruding element, allow for the rigid planar sheet 102to snap onto the display portion 192 of the laptop computer 190 byapplying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy and fast applicationand removal of the rigid planar sheet 102. Tabs 126 and 128 are locatedon opposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 102 so as to provide pressurein opposite directions towards the center of the display portion 192when applied. This pressure secures the rigid planar sheet 102 into thedisplay portion 192.

The plurality of tabs 132, 134 and 136 (not shown) of the rigid planarsheet 112, each having a protruding element, allow for the rigid planarsheet 112 to snap onto the keyboard portion 194 of the laptop computer190 by applying manual pressure, thereby allowing for easy and fastapplication and removal of the rigid planar sheet 112. Tabs 132, 134 arelocated on opposite ends of the rigid planar sheet 102 as tab 136, so asto provide pressure in opposite directions towards the center of thekeyboard portion 194 when applied. This pressure secures the rigidplanar sheet 112 into the keyboard portion 194.

The rigid planar sheet 112 includes shaped orifices 152, 154, 156located along a left side of the rigid planar sheet 112, the orificesproviding access to a portion of the keyboard portion 194, such as apower connection, a light, a data port, a button or a removable mediadrive. Also note shaped orifice 159 located along a bottom side of theraised edge 114. These shaped orifices 152, 154, 156, 159 provide accessto a portion of the keyboard portion 194, such as a power connection, alight, a data port, a button or a removable media drive. Note that eachorifice is shaped according to the shape of the item to which it isproviding access. Also note lower edge 164, which may provide access toa mechanism 165, such as a latch, for opening or closing the laptopcomputer 190.

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail view of a first tab 300 for securing arigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a laptop computer 190,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The firsttab 300 may describe tabs 122, 124, 126, 128 132, 134 of FIG. 1 in moredetail. FIG. 3 shows that first tab 300 is attached to a top surface 304of raised edge 302, analogous to raised edge 104 or 114. The first tab300 includes a flat surface 306 that slopes inward or extends toward theinside surface 308 of the edge 302. The flat surface 306 connects to thetop surface 304 of raised edge 302. The first tab 300 has a rounded back310 that curves back away from the surface 306 and connects to theraised edge 302.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail view of-the first tab 300 forsecuring a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a laptopcomputer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 shows that flat surface 306 of tab 300 slopes inwardor extends toward the inside surface 308 of the raised edge 302. As thelaptop 190 is inserted into the exterior cover 100, the tab 300 may bepushed back or away from the inside surface 308 of the edge 302 so as toallow for the full width of the laptop 190 to be inserted into theexterior cover 100. The malleable or elastic nature of the materialcomprising the exterior cover 100, such as plastic, allows for the tab300 to be pushed back or away from the inside surface 308 of the edge302 without breaking the tab 300, while allowing for the tab 300 toreturn to its initial shape or arrangement after the full width of thelaptop 190 is inserted into the exterior cover 100.

FIG. 4 shows that after insertion of the laptop 190 into the exteriorcover 100, the flat surface 306 of tab 300 slopes inward toward thelaptop, thereby extending over the top surface 410 of the laptop 190 soas to grip the laptop 190. This positioning keeps the laptop 190 frommoving upwards and exiting the exterior cover 100 since the tab 300grips the laptop 190 to secure it in place. Thus, tab 300 secures thelaptop 190 within the exterior cover 100. The application of enoughforce, however, may force the tab 300 to be pushed back or away from theinside surface 308 of the edge 302 so as to allow for the full width ofthe laptop 190 to exit the exterior cover 100.

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view of a second tab 500 for securing arigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a laptop computer 190,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The secondtab 500 may describe tab 136 of FIG. 1 in more detail. FIG. 5 shows thatsecond tab 500 is attached to a top surface 504 of a rigid planar sheet510, and possible a raised edge (not shown), analogous to raised edge104 or 114. The second tab 500 includes a flat surface 506 that slopesinward or extends toward the inside surface 508 of the rigid planarsheet 510. The flat surface 506 connects to the top surface 504 of therigid planar sheet 510 or a raised edge. The second tab 500 has arounded back 512 that curves back away from the surface 506 and connectsto the top surface 504 of the rigid planar sheet 510 or a raised edge.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail view of the second tab 500 forsecuring a rigid planar sheet of the exterior cover 100 to a laptopcomputer 190, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 6 shows that flat surface 506 of second tab 500 slopesinward or extends toward the inside surface 508 of the rigid planarsheet 510. As the laptop 190 is inserted into the exterior cover 100,the second tab 500 may be pushed back or away from the inside surface508 of the rigid planar sheet 510 so as to allow for the full width ofthe laptop 190 to be inserted into the exterior cover 100. The malleableor elastic nature of the material comprising the exterior cover 100,such as plastic, allows for the second tab 500 to be pushed back or awayfrom the inside surface 508 of the rigid planar sheet 510 withoutbreaking the second tab 500, while allowing for the second tab 500 toreturn to its initial shape or arrangement after the full width of thelaptop 190 is inserted into the exterior cover 100.

FIG. 6 shows that after insertion of the pointed protrusion of laptop190 into the exterior cover 100, the flat surface 506 of second tab 500slopes inward toward the laptop, thereby extending over the top surface610 of a pointed protrusion of the laptop 190 so as to grip the laptop190. This positioning keeps the laptop 190 from moving upwards andexiting the exterior cover 100 since the second tab 500 grips the laptop190 to secure it in place. Thus, second tab 500 secures the laptop 190within the exterior cover 100. The application of enough force, however,may force the second tab 500 to be pushed back or away from the insidesurface 508 of the rigid planar sheet 510 so as to allow for the fullwidth of the laptop 190 to exit the exterior cover 100.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to berestricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it isintended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications,modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. An exterior cover for a laptop computer having a display portion anda keyboard portion, comprising: a first rigid planar element forplacement on an outside surface of the display portion, the first rigidplanar element including: a raised edge along a perimeter of the firstrigid planar element, wherein the raised edge extends toward the displayportion; and a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge, whereineach tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the display portion;and a second rigid planar element for placement on an outside surface ofthe keyboard portion, the second rigid planar element including: araised edge along a perimeter of the second rigid planar element,wherein the raised edge extends toward the keyboard portion; and aplurality of tabs located on the raised edge, wherein each tab extendsfrom the raised edge for gripping the keyboard portion.
 2. The exteriorcover of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover is comprised of a plasticmaterial.
 3. The exterior cover of claim 2, wherein the exterior coveris comprised of a colored, transparent material.
 4. The exterior coverof claim 1, wherein the first and second rigid planar elements comprisea substantially rectangular shape.
 5. The exterior cover of claim 4,wherein the plurality of tabs of the first rigid planar element comprisefour tabs.
 6. The exterior cover of claim 5, wherein the plurality oftabs of the second rigid planar element comprise three tabs.
 7. Theexterior cover of claim 6, wherein the raised edge of the second rigidplanar element includes at least one orifice for allowing access to aremovable media port in the keyboard portion.
 8. The exterior cover ofclaim 7, wherein each of the plurality of tabs of the first and secondrigid planar elements extend from about one millimeter to about twomillimeters from the raised edge.
 9. An exterior cover for a laptopcomputer having a display portion and a keyboard portion, comprising: afirst rigid planar element having a rectangular shape for covering a topsurface of the display portion, the first rigid planar elementincluding: a raised edge for covering a section of all sides of thedisplay portion; and a plurality of tabs located on the raised edge,wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for gripping the displayportion; and a second rigid planar element having a rectangular shapefor covering a bottom surface of the keyboard portion, the second rigidplanar element including: a raised edge for covering a section of allsides of the keyboard portion; and a plurality of tabs located on theraised edge, wherein each tab extends from the raised edge for grippingthe keyboard portion.
 10. The exterior cover of claim 9, wherein theexterior cover is comprised of a plastic material.
 11. The exteriorcover of claim 9, wherein the each of the plurality of tabs of the firstand second rigid planar elements are raised higher than the raised edgeof the first and second rigid planar elements, respectively.
 12. Theexterior cover of claim 11, wherein the plurality of tabs of the firstrigid planar element comprise four tabs.
 13. The exterior cover of claim12, wherein the plurality of tabs of the second rigid planar elementcomprise three tabs.
 14. The exterior cover of claim 13, wherein theraised edge of the second rigid planar element includes at least oneorifice for allowing access to a removable media port in the keyboardportion.
 15. The exterior cover of claim 14, wherein each of theplurality of tabs of the first and second rigid planar elements extendfrom about one millimeter to about two millimeters from the raised edge.16. A protective cover for a laptop computer, comprising: a firstrectangular sheet comprised of a rigid material for fastening to anoutside surface of a display portion of the laptop computer, the firstrectangular sheet including a plurality of protruding tabs located onopposing sides of the first rectangular sheet, wherein the plurality oftabs extend toward the display portion for gripping the display portion;and a second rectangular sheet comprised of a rigid material forfastening to an outside surface of a keyboard portion of the laptopcomputer, the second rectangular sheet including a plurality ofprotruding tabs located on opposing sides of the second rectangularsheet, wherein the plurality of tabs extend toward the keyboard portionfor gripping the keyboard portion.
 17. The protective cover of claim 16,wherein the protective cover is comprised of a heat-dissipatingmaterial.
 18. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein the protectivecover is comprised of plastic.
 19. The protective cover of claim 16,wherein the protective cover is comprised of a translucent plasticmaterial.
 20. The protective cover of claim 16, wherein each of theplurality of hook-shaped tabs of the first and second rectangular sheetsextend from about one millimeter to about two millimeters in length.